Premier League clubs were concluding their transfer business in the final hours of the summer window on Thursday, with Chelsea having been involved in the most significant activity this week.

As time wound down on Wednesday, the Blues signed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao for £72.1million, in a world-record transfer for a goalkeeper, while Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic completed a season-long loan deal the following morning.

The Croatian arrives as part of the deal that will see Thibaut Courtois get his dream move to Real Madrid. Spanish goalkeeper Kepa has headed to London as Courtois’ replacement, joining the Blues on a seven-year deal.

Belgium number one Courtois only had a year left on his deal and has been absent from training this week as he looked to push through a reported £35m move before the transfer window closed for the Blues and their Premier League rivals at 5pm BST on Thursday.

Kepa told Chelsea’s official club website: “It’s a very important decision for me, for my career, and also for my personal life.

“So many things attracted me to the club, all the titles the club has won, the other players, the city, the English Premier League. It’s an accumulation of things, and I am very glad Chelsea has decided to trust me and to take me in as well.”